BHS volleyball rallies past Silverado in four sets

RIDGECREST — After a sloppy start, the Burroughs volleyball team rallied to victory on Tuesday night. The Burros beat Silverado in four sets 11-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21 at the Burroughs Barn to win the first game back on their home court following a three-week stretch of road games.

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By Anthony GentileSPORTS EDITORagentile@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Anthony GentileSPORTS EDITORagentile@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Oct. 30, 2013 at 3:10 PM

By Anthony GentileSPORTS EDITORagentile@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Oct. 30, 2013 at 3:10 PM

RIDGECREST — After a sloppy start, the Burroughs volleyball team rallied to victory on Tuesday night. The Burros beat Silverado in four sets 11-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21 at the Burroughs Barn to win the first game back on their home court following a three-week stretch of road games.

"We needed this win tonight because we needed a confidence boost," Burros head coach Michele Lazaro said. "Losing to Granite Hills and Victor Valley hurt us, and hopefully we realize that we can play volleyball and be successful."

Burroughs (14-7, 10-3 DSL) committed a host of errors and had communication problems en route to dropping the opening set. Silverado closed the set on an 11-4 run to decisively grab the early lead.

"We started out really flat — we made too many hitting errors in the beginning," Lazaro said. "We just told the girls to focus on doing the little things — playing defense, keeping the ball in play and letting them make mistakes."

After the first set, Cielo Martinez replaced starting libero Rebecca Floyd. Playing libero in a match for the first time this season, Martinez finished with 28 digs and provided a defensive spark that led to the Burros' comeback.

"We were flat and we needed a change," Lazaro said. "Every person on the team is important, and every person has to be ready to come in, and step up and do their job.

"Cielo put that libero jersey on and really wanted it and worked hard. It's going to make that position more competitive — Cielo wants some action and it's good to see."

Burroughs stayed in front for most of the second set, and outside hitter Allie Sliva closed the stanza out for the Burros. Sliva had three kills and a block in the final five points, and tied up the match with a cross court kill that fooled the Hawks' defense.

"Allie was really smart with her hitting," Lazaro said. "She was constantly working trying to make adjustments, and she didn't swing the same every time. She rolled shots, she went line and that's what we've been trying to get her to do."

In the third set, Burroughs broke a 21-21 tie with four straight points off Silverado errors to jump back in front. After taking a 6-5 lead in the fourth set Burroughs never trailed, and with the Burros ahead 22-21 outside hitter Michaela Metcalf hit three straight kills to close out Silverado.

"When our girls give effort, it makes all the difference," Lazaro said. "When we stand still and balls fall between us, we get into trouble."

Metcalf had a team-high 20 kills in the victory. She also tallied nine service points, four aces and 10 digs as part of a good all-around performance.

Page 2 of 2 - "She hit the floor a couple of times, and I was proud of her for that — she plays all the way around and she's always trying to hit the floor," Lazaro said.

With the victory, Burroughs moved into second place in the DSL, one game ahead of Granite Hills with two matches remaining. A second-place finish would bring an easier path in the Southern Section playoffs.

"We have a good team and they've done a great job this season — now they need to finish strong," Lazaro said.

Burroughs hosts league champion Victor Valley on Thursday at the Burroughs Barn. The Burros conclude the regular season at home next Tuesday against Adelanto.